WORCESTER Warriors have not given up hope of regaining the services of experienced fly-half Jono Lance despite him landing back in Australia.

The 27-year-old playmaker returned to his home country last weekend after his three-month contract ended at Warriors.

But director of rugby Alan Solomons said Lance’s future was still “pending” with Warriors continuing to hold talks with Melbourne Rebels.

Lance has agreed a deal with Rebels who kick off their Super Rugby campaign in late February but Worcester have previously expressed their desire to keep him until the end of the season.

The ex-Western Force ace faces more than a month on the sidelines after sustaining a broken hand in Warriors’ 23-8 win over London Irish two weeks ago.

But Solomons acknowledged Worcester were short of fly-halves and would benefit from the experience of Lance.

“Jono is away,” Solomons said.

“In any event he can’t play as he has got a broken hand and is out for six weeks.

“His situation still has to resolve itself and is pending at the moment.

“We will see what happens but it’s premature for me to say anything at this point.

“I understand you want an answer and I am not giving it to you because everything is still pending and we will see how it resolves itself.”

Lance played eight games for Warriors in his time at Sixways and played an important role in their upturn in form.

“Jono is an older man and has more experience so he is a stronger, more physical player at this juncture as the other boys are young,” Solomons said.

Sam Olver, 23, is expected to get the nod ahead of Jamie Shillcock, 20, for Warriors’ clash with Bath on Friday (7.45pm).

Centre Ryan Mills can also play at number 10 but Solomons admitted he was wary of causing the 25-year-old further injury woe.

“We have got to bear in mind that Millsy has got knee problems and there are different demands on the fly-half position,” Solomons said.

“We have just got him back healthy after a bad quad injury and we want to keep playing him.”

Olver had his first Premiership start in Warriors’ 46-31 defeat at Saracens last Saturday while Shillcock came off the bench to score a late try.

“Sammy and Shilly are both young boys but are good footballers and it is about gaining experience,” Solomons continued.

“Sammy is not a big lad but is brave and nobody can question his heart.”

The club’s lack of options at stand-off was also evident last Sunday when Worcester Cavaliers slumped to a 39-12 loss at Northampton Wanderers in the Premiership A League.

“Shilly needed the rugby but he could only take 40 minutes and then Max Stelling got injured,” Solomons added.

“Although Luke Baldwin says he had a great game at fly-half he really is a scrum-half.

“We have (got a lot of games) and it was tough for them on Sunday.

“The lads did well but it was made difficult having no regular fly-half and then getting two yellow cards with Biyi Alo and Anton Bresler going off which did not help their cause.”